Riding high on the success of the recently-concluded Asian Games,
India's top-ranked paddler Achanta Sharath Kamal is hopeful that India
will finish on the podium at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.To get more
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Kamal
scripted history when the men's team won India's first medal, bronze,
in table tennis at the Asian Games. He also won the bronze with Manika
Batra in the mixed doubles category making it the best-ever outing for
the country in the sport.
"Winning a medal at the Asiad is close
to bagging a medal at the World Championships or the Olympics. It is a
good milestone to judge," Sharath Kamal said.
"This (Asian Games)
medal is an indication that we are capable of making it to the podium
even at the Olympics. Seven of the top 10 countries in the sport are
from Asia. To win a medal here is such a boost. It gives us a forward
vision (ahead of the Olympics)."
The veteran paddler said there
is now also a possibility that he would qualify for three events --
men's singles, men's team and mixed doubles -- at the Tokyo Olympics, a
feat he has been unable to achieve before.
Sharath Kamal, who
paired up with Manika for the first time in the mixed doubles category,
said he has finally found the right partner in her.
"Mixed
doubles is not my cup of tea. The boss is the woman there. They set up
the game while men finish the rally. I couldn't find the right match all
these years but with Manika, I am able to," he said.
Asked about his future plans, Sharath Kamal said he has no plans of retiring and fitness will be vital in making that call.
"I
am way fitter than what I was. A lot of changes have happened in the
last three years. I have moved back to India and I'm training a lot
here. I don't have the pressure of playing matches week in and week out
now. I am able to invest more timing into training," he said.
"I
can even play till 2024 (laughs). I have been delivering my best and
things are on a roll. If I manage to stay fit and motivated, it can go
on. I am keeping it open."
Sharath Kamal said going into the
Asiad the thought in the camp was that there was a slim chance of
winning a medal and all depended on a favourable draw and luckily things
went the team's way.
"Ahead of the Games, we thought that there
was only a slim chance. We were hoping for a favourable draw and were
raring to play our best possible game. Fortunately, it panned out the
way we wanted it to be," he said.
Sharath Kamal, who is ranked
35th in the ITTF rankings, also said that the backing from the
federation and the government is benefitting the players.
The Wall